Saudi Arabia

QUICK FACTS

Population: 29.8 million (1.2 million Christians) Main Religion: Islam

Persecution Level: SevereSource of persecution: Islamic extremism

OVERVIEW OF SAUDI ARABIA

The desert kingdom is defined by Wahhabism, a purist and strict interpretation of Islam. It is forbidden to openly practice other religions. Apostasy – conversion to another religion – is punishable by death. Radical Islamic breeding ground is widely present in the kingdom and Saudi funding of terrorism abroad is the main source of Sunni terrorism in the world. Most Christians are expats from Asia or Africa. Converts to Christianity from Islam face the risk of being killed or abused by their own families. House churches are often raided by the religious police.

PRAYER POINTS

That more Muslims will meet Jesus through satellite television or dreams and visions of Jesus

Being a woman and a Christian increases the severity of persecution; pray for the government to respect women and grant more freedom to worship for women and men

That the house churches will continue to worship in secret and not be discovered by the secret police